In a significant response to the tragic Air India crash that left 260 dead in June, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated an inspection of fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft operated by the nation’s airlines. This directive comes on the heels of a preliminary investigation revealing that fuel flow to the engines was impaired shortly after takeoff from the fuel switches being unintentionally moved to "cut-off." The Air India Flight 171 incident, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, stands as one of the most devastating aviation accidents in nearly a decade, prompting urgent scrutiny from both Indian and international aviation authorities.
**India Mandates Inspection of Fuel Control Switches in Boeing Aircraft Following Air India Tragedy**
**India Mandates Inspection of Fuel Control Switches in Boeing Aircraft Following Air India Tragedy**
India's aviation regulator orders inspections on Boeing jets after a fatal crash raised safety concerns.
The DGCA’s order obligates airlines to complete these inspections by July 21, emphasizing the necessity to maintain airworthiness and operational safety. This inspection aligns with a voluntary advisory issued earlier by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2018, which suggested inspections of these fuel cut-off switches to prevent accidental disengagement. In light of the tragic incident, Air India had faced criticism for neglecting these recommended checks due to their non-mandatory status prior to this incident.
Boeing's fuel switches have been defended by FAA officials, who maintain that they do not consider the planes unsafe. Indian airline pilots have also rallied behind their colleagues, stating that crew members acted appropriately under extreme circumstances amidst rising concerns before the crash. The preliminary findings indicated a dramatic interaction in the cockpit right before the failure, which adds to the complexity of the investigation. Meanwhile, other countries, like South Korea, are also responding with their mandates for inspections of fuel switches on Boeing jets, showcasing the widespread implications of this tragic event on global aviation safety protocols.
Boeing's fuel switches have been defended by FAA officials, who maintain that they do not consider the planes unsafe. Indian airline pilots have also rallied behind their colleagues, stating that crew members acted appropriately under extreme circumstances amidst rising concerns before the crash. The preliminary findings indicated a dramatic interaction in the cockpit right before the failure, which adds to the complexity of the investigation. Meanwhile, other countries, like South Korea, are also responding with their mandates for inspections of fuel switches on Boeing jets, showcasing the widespread implications of this tragic event on global aviation safety protocols.
